mezzanini

Mezzanini is the plural form of mezzanino, a term used in architecture to describe a partial floor placed between the main levels of a building. In English, the related term mezzanine refers to a similar intermediate level that is not counted as a full floor. A mezzanino is typically shallow and does not extend over the entire footprint of a space, creating an intermediate layer within a room or volume.

Mezzanini are used across residential, commercial, and institutional settings. In homes, they may function as sleeping lofts, studies, or display lofts that maximize vertical space. In retail and showrooms, they increase usable display area without adding a full second floor. In theaters and galleries, mezzanini provide additional seating or viewing platforms and help organize circulation.

Design and construction considerations include compliance with building codes for fire safety and means of egress, as well as structural support for the added level. Access is usually via a dedicated staircase or ladder, and railings are required for safety. Common construction materials include steel, timber, and reinforced concrete, often chosen for load, cost, and aesthetics. Daylight, headroom, acoustics, and circulation influence the layout, while finishes and balustrades affect the space’s openness.

Variations range from cantilevered or freestanding mezzanini to those that are enclosed or partially open. They may be simple and utilitarian in industrial interiors or transparent and flexible in contemporary living spaces. The concept is prominent in historic Italian architecture as well as modern design, reflecting the idea of an intermediate layer within a larger vertical volume.

Etymology: the English mezzanine derives from the French mezzanine, which traces to Italian mezzanino, meaning an in-between level.